Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson, chair of the
platform committee for the Republican National Convention, held a
conference call with Republican mayors on July 7 regarding key Conference
of Mayors policy positions which should be included in the Republican
platform for Philadelphia and be transition priorities for presidential
candidate George W. Bush.

Key issues discussed in the call included
public safety, transportation, education, sprawl, the environment, and the
role of mayors in the metro economies.

It was agreed on the call that Conference
President Coles will take the lead in providing additional details
regarding the priorities of mayors for the platform and transition. Mayor
Coles has instructed Conference staff to follow up with RNC staff on
details regarding transition priorities.

Also, Bush policy director Stephen Goldsmith
has been invited to participate in the September Conference Leadership
Meeting in Boise/Sun Valley, as has Vice President Al Gore's policy
director Elaine Kamarck.